Dr. Gracie L. Adderly

Q2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In what ways does Scripture equip a Christian for ministry? In what different ways can the Scriptures function, according to verse 16? God's word is a lamp that shows us how to live and walk; like a Spiritual compass. His Word illuminates the path for each step and, keeps us from missteps and wrong turns. Living without the Word of God is like trying to go somewhere you've never been without directions. The more thoroughly equipped, the more we will bear fruit to the glory of God. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:6) We continually ask God to fill us with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Col. 1:9-10) When we are thoroughly equipped for every good work, we grow in our relationship with God, others are helped, and most importantly, God is glorified.

Q4. (2 Timothy 3:10-12) How does a failure to accept the inevitability of persecution hinder our witness? Everyone who decides to live a godly life "will" be persecuted. It's not something to be ashamed about, but truly a honor. We are called to be imitators of Christ, i.e., love, joy, peace...imitating Christ means setting an example. In fact, in some settings these approaches are not appropriate. No matter what setting you find yourself in, you can show others the face of Christ by how you do your work, treat other people, make decisions, respond to challenges, and behave, period. No one will listen to a so-called Christian that is afraid to own their God. No one will listen to a two-faced Christian, i.e., someone who is ashamed to own God in certain settings. In other words, set a Christ-like example for the people you interact with. *Just what does it mean to "take up his cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and to "carry his cross" (Luke 14:27)? Many people interpret the “cross” to be taken up as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness, etc. With self-pitying pride, they look at their difficulty and say, “That’s my cross I have to carry.” God seeks “true worshipers [who] will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Obedience to God. ... Guard Your Thoughts. ... Practice Self-Denial. ... Put on the New Self. ... Jesus’ call to “take up your cross and follow Me” serves to screen out the disingenuous, double-minded, and dissembling. Commitment to Christ is the practice of self denial daily. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. **Is Jesus talking about persecution -- or something else? Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mt. 16:24). This means a willingness to die for Jesus if faithfulness requires it. These two conditions clear the way to actually follow Jesus — His teaching and example in daily life. Jesus’s final warnings about persecution and suffering came at the end of His earthly ministry. In the Upper Room, He told His disciples, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

For the church, a plan of action and a shared goal of mentorship is fundamental in order for the sustainment of the word of God. This may require a rearranging of priorities to give time towards discipleship classes and groups, for the training of disciples the way Jesus commanded. Proverbs 27:17 says: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Mentoring is a particular kind of discipleship. Through mentoring, an older believer, equips younger saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, i.e., preparing to pass the baton so that God's word endures from generation to generation. In other words, as we study and learn truths about God, we continually pass on to others what we’ve received. Now, just imagine had Jesus not made disciples. His ministry, as amazing as it was, would have ended when He ascended to heaven! —Furthermore, if Paul had not made Timothy and others as disciples, his great ministry would have ended when he was killed in the pris on in Rome.

Jesus' imminent return should be our greatest motivator for change; living by the fruits of the Spirit, using self-control to say "No" to the enticements of this age. Grace teaches us to expect and prepare for our blessed hope. That hope is not heaven or glory, but Jesus Himself. Grace teaches that the first time He came to save the soul of man. Our hope is that in His second coming is to resurrect the body. Grace teaches that He came the first time to save the individual. Our hope is in the second coming He comes to save society. Grace teaches us that He came the first time to a crucifixion. Our hope is in His second coming that He will come to a coronation. Grace teaches that He came the first time to a tree. Our hope is in His second coming He will come to a throne. Grace teaches that He came the first time in humility. Our hope is in His second coming He will come in His glory. Grace teaches that He came the first time to be judged by men. Our hope is in His second coming He will come to judge all men. Grace teaches that He came the first time and stood before Pilate. Our hope is in His second coming, Pilate will stand before Him.

The purpose for Paul leaving Titus behind in Crete was to straighten out the mess that was left unfinished. Many claimed to know God, but by their actions they denied Him. They were detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus was to encourage traits such as faithfulness, respectfulness, dignity, and self-control. Older men and women were to mentor younger men and women, respectively. In the same way, older women were to be reverent in behavior, not gossipers, or drinking in excess. They were to demonstrate and teach what was good.

I think that most pastors (today) hesitate to call out false doctrine because of public ridicule vs. their call to the Gospel - i.e., being cancelled, appeasing the audience - as much, stumbling over the truth next to an articulate heresie. Heresies live for a good debate, and count on Christians that learn cliched phrases rather than what the Bible truly says. It used to be that when religious authorities decide that a belief was heretical, they would take active efforts to eradicate the belief, (by excommunication or worse). We are called to study to show ourselves approved, (Timothy 2:15). It is unfortunate that most practices of false doctrines study more than our pastors or people of the Christian faith. Most Baptist preachers are able to "call out" a false doctrine from the pulpit...it is "his" monologue...(so to say). But in Bible study, when false doctrine speaks back, the embarrassment is mortifying. Some false doctrines boldly come to your front door for the sheer purpose of debating you - counting on you not knowing the truth behind "Jesus wept". Heresies often use half truths or no truth at all, but many,many words that sound good to the itching ears. The Bible calls for wisdom; showing and teaching all things that which is true and pleasing unto God. The last thing I would say is to let your teaching be so powerful in clarifying the greatness and the beauty and the worth of God’s truth that your people will smell error before it infects their lives. The shape of error is always changing. You can’t preach enough negative sermons to stay ahead of it. And you don’t have to. The best protection against the darkness of error is the light of truth.

Stay in tuned with the Holy Spirit. All of Him, less of you. It's all about lifting up Jesus, not man. Though change comes with every generation, God's word does not change. (Example:) If my objective's to win souls, and my target group do not speak English - then, I might have to learn a little of their language.

One way to cultivate acts of generosity first and foremost, is by tithing and support the agency God has chosen to reach the world. Just like we pay gym memberships where we exercise, restaurants where we eat; we support the congregation ministering to us. A committed, and common practice of tithing makes giving simply part of your life. Consequently, when a believer acts in accordance with God's will, as described in verses 17–18, he or she is investing in heavenly rewards. Treasures in heaven are considered far more valuable than wealth in this life.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Contentment is gratitude, finding joy in what God has given to you. The opposite of contentment is greed which destroys your capacity to enjoy what God has given. Contentment is a Believers grace that grows over time. It does not come quickly, easily or naturally. Paul says “I have learned to be content” (Philippians 4:12). A Believer comes to contentment, not so much by way of addition as by way of subtraction… Contentment does not come by adding to what you have, but by subtracting from what you desire. The world says that you will find contentment when your possessions rise to meet the level of your desires… The Believer has another way to contentment, that is, he can bring his desires down to his possessions. Amen

Paul warns Timothy about those who “think that godliness is a means to financial gain” (verse 5). All wrongdoing can be traced to an excessive attachment to material wealth - in other words; “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). It is not a sin to be rich, but riches certainly invite temptation. The sin is not in possessing wealth but in our attitudes about that wealth and in the ways we use it. The Bible has examples of rich people being blessed by God, including Abraham (Genesis 13:2), Jacob (Genesis 30:43), and Solomon (1 Kings 10:23). The heretical teaching that infiltrated the church in Timothy’s day is still prevalent in modern Christianity. We commonly hear of preachers and Christian figureheads using their positions of influence to amass unimaginable wealth so that they can live opulent lifestyles. "Prosperity Gospel" and $20,000,000 homes, planes, etc. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person who enables the believer to do God’s will. The prosperity gospel movement closely resembles some of the destructive greed sects that infiltrated the early church. In the prosperity gospel, the believer is told to use God, whereas the truth of biblical Christianity is just the opposite—God uses the believer.

Paul plainly stated that a widow with children or grandchildren should be cared for by them. Family is always the "first" line of defense against poverty. Parents give unfathomably to the welfare of their children. For Christian children, this is an opportunity bear fruit, i.e., "walk the talk", to act "in" their Christian faith- giving to their parents as they have given to them. This is “acceptable” or pleasing in the sight of God. Paul goes on to say that if a person does not provide for his own family he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Even most unbelievers were kind enough to provide for aged parents.

People who are theologically rigid are the very opposite of what God's Word encourages leaders to be. Ones personal moral views are never supposed to take precedent over the true Gospel of Jesus the Christ. This is legalism and the complete opposite of what godliness entails. A godly leader sees his role as not to be in charge but to serve others. One reason the Lord appoints men as Shepherds (and leaders) over the church is to provide an "example" of faithful, godly living to the congregation. They are essentially the “motion picture” of following Jesus; the example in everything - not neglecting the fruits of the spirit, i.e., love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control.

We must be intentional. We must be consistent in seeking to know and become more like Jesus - using every means God has given us to know Him and grow in His likeness. Just as an athlete must be disciplined and determined to remain fit and grow in strength, so, too, must we in spiritual godliness; i.e., Bible reading, studying, prayer, and worship. Slothful Christians do not become godly. Neglecting our spiritual disciplines will not grow godliness or usefulness to the Lord. Bodily fitness is temporary, but spiritual fitness lasts for eternity. Spiritual growth impacts eternity. Paul often speaks of the "next life" as the true focus of the believer. Colossians 3:2 reminds us to "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." As a child I used to hear "Don't be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good," It is true that we cannot ignore the earthly realities around us. However, a person with a godly perspective on the good things God has given us (1 Timothy 4:4) can be completely "heavenly minded" and still of much "earthly good."

Firstly, these people have an appearance of godliness; that's attractive. But their hearts are far from him. They had religion, but they did not have a legitimate relationship with God built upon truth (2 Timothy 3:16–17). This would also include those who overtly pick and choose when to obey God, and when to dismiss His message... hypocrites.

Paul's warning was so that they (we) are able to recognize these false teachers so not to be led astray by them? Jesus said that we would know them by their fruits (Matt 7:16) for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions. False doctrine usually have small elements of truth added to their legalism. So, in order to guard against apostasy we must be able to recognize false teachings.